Film-drying rack



Nov. 2 1926.

1,605,348 c, w. HUTTON\ FILM DRYING RACK Filed p 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 11 I 1 H77):

CLHRENCE W Harm/Y ci. w. HUTTON FILM DRYING RACK Filed Sept. 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 59 i H Go /35 69 .94 X 15 12 5 i 669M Vi I i 85 .96 g GI 1. 68 65 ac 57 I/YVEIYTO/Y 7 CZfl/E'EIYCE WHt/TTO Y Nov. 2 1926. v c. w. HUTTON FILM DRYING RACK Filed Sept. 12 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4' I54 I/YVENTOR CMRENCE WHurron'r Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

CLARENCE W. HUTTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FILM-DRYING RACK.

Application filed September 12,1925. Serial No. 58,090.

The present invention has to do with a device adapted to provide compact means for drying strips of films such as are used in the moving picture art, and relates particularly to the structural features of such a rack whereby it is rendered compact and is adapted to be made from relatively light material and substantially free from mechanical weakness.

Included in the objects of the invention are the following The provision of a rackihaving fingers to receive film and adapted to be folded out of the way when not in use;

The provision of means for folding and unfolding such fingers conjointly with a winding or unwinding rotation of the rack;

Means for causing staggardly arranged fingers upon a drying rack to be opened and closed in predetermined order;

Uni ue means for providing a travelling cam a dapted to operate movable fingers, which, when in operable position, provide a convolute film drying rack A novel structure for the arms of a drying rack, such arms providing pivots for the movement of a plurality of fingers upon which the film is disposed while being dried;

A novel combination of arm and-fingers in a drying rack, the fingers being adpated to be held in positive folded or closed position;

The combination with a travelling cam of means for declutching such cam when the limit o fsafe movement in any direction is reached;

A unique trave-lling'cam provided with means for disengaging it from a driving force as an incident-to the attainment of the limit for its safe movement; v

A novel interlocking between a rotatable rack and a cam actuating means, the cam being adapted to operate a plurality of fingers studding the face of such rack;

unique rack comprising a body portion and a plurality of movable fingers, and cam means for actuating said fingers in a predetermined order Novel ratchet means in association with directional control members for declutching from a drying rackthe cammember adapted to actuate fingers on said rack;

A novel combination of gears, r'atchets, cams, and other elements whereby a gearinterinediate a rack and a cam {for operating fingers upon such rack is declutched as an incident to the attainment of the limit of the proper movement for such cam, the declutching mechanism being arranged to permit of a reversal of movement immediately resetting the cam for controlling the fingers into operation;

A novel combination of gears, ratchets, cams, and otherelements whereby a gear intermediate a rack and a cam for operating fingers upon such rack is declutched as an incidentto the attainment of the limit of the proper movement of such cam in either direction ,a-ndwhereupon the rack is allowed to rotate freely, the declutching mechanism being arranged to permit the reversal of rack movement to immediately reset the cam for controlling the fingers, means being combined with the device so thatturning rack in .wrongidirection while cam is operating is made -impossible such incorrect rotation automatically changing the direction of said finger controlling -cam to prevent injury thereto.

It is quiteinanifest that the: deviceunay be used other than as a film-drying rack, one embodimentiof the invention, and may be employed as a strip or ribbon holder for various purposes.

These, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear,;are attained by the novel combination, construction and arrangement of=the various parts comprisingthe device illustrated 'in the accompanying drawings comprising one embodiment of the invention, and in which I Figural is a transverse vertical section of an apparatus embodying the invention, a

portion thereof being broken away at :the

actuating the'fingers upon the rack and the clutching and declutching mechanism for disengaging the cam from connection with the rack;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line H of 'Figure 3 Figure -5 is an.'elevation on-the line 5-5 of*F1gure3;

Flgure 61s a fragmentary detail, in trans- -verse section of-the lowerend of tlie'cam actuating mechanism and the housing therefor;

Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line 77 of Figure 3, the front of the cam and the cam actuating housing being in elevation;

Figure 8 is an elevation of a part of the deflecting mechanism;

Figure 9 is an elevation similar to Figure 5, the operable portion of the declutching mechanism being reversed;

Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line 1010 of Figure 2;

Figure 11. is an elevation on the line 1111 of Figure 2; 1

Figure 12 is a plan view in detail on the line 1212 of Figure 2;

Figure 13 is a plan view of a portion of tie fan blade;

Figures 14 and 15 are details, partly in section, of a rack holding mechanism permitting the rack to be moved away from the finger actuating mechanism but preserving the registration of said parts one with another, and

Figure 16 is a detail, partly in elevation, and partly in section, of means for disengaging a guide pulley.

Similar parts are designated by like reference characters in the drawings and in the description of the device hereinafter given.

From Figure 1, which should first be eX- amined it will be noted that the apparatus, as there illustrated and as also illustrated in Figure 2, is double, or comprises two oppositely disposed like and disconnected units. A machine comprising a single unit or a plurality of units could be readily constructed.

The description following will confine itself to one complete unit. The second unit illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is a duplicate of the first.

Upon a base 10 including a standard 11, are opposed stub shafts 12 upon which the drying racks, the subject matter of this application for patent, are rotatably disposed. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, horizontal extension members 13 project from the head of said standard 11 at right angles to stub shafts 12. Between standard 11 and extensions 1?) oblique braces 14 may be placed. Any other suitable base and standard can be employed for the rack as will be clear from an exan'iination of the drawings.

The drying racks are rotatably secured up on stub shafts 12. A. lug 15 is provided at the head of standard 11 and about shaft 12 to provide an offset for said drying racks. The rotatable rack is designated generally 16 and comprises a hub 17 from which a plurality of radially disposed members hereinafter called spokes, carrying movable fingers extend, the ends of said spokes being confined in aperipheral band which is adapted to be driven by an external prime mover. Intermediate the hub 17 and the standard 11 is an apparatus for actuating the fingers upon said spokes, such actuation occurring as an incident to the winding of film onto and from the rack.

W'ith this brief description giving an outline of the apparatus, the details of the rack proper will be set forth. Projecting outwardly from the hub 17 and depending from the face 18 thereof are a. plurality of equally spaced radial spokes 19 which may be formed from two strips of material 20 and 21 secured one to another. At the external extremity of the spokes 19, a circular band 22 is provided. The band 22 is half rounded and provides reinforcement for the spokes 19 and concurrently serves as a friction band for the motor driving the rack. It is offset as to strip 20 and serves as a guide to prevent a film being wound upon the rack impinging the folded fingers thereof. to strip 21, band 22 may be flush.

Strip 20 of spoke 19 is of greater thickness than strip21 in the drawing. Both strips are preferably of light metal. Strip 20 is provided with shallow parallel grooves, cuts or tracks 23 which extend transversely thereacross, said grooves being at one side of a depth equal to about one-half the thickness of the material of strip 20. At the other side, and about half way across the strip 20, the track 23 amounts to a cut entirely through the material.

At the side of the material of strip 20 having the deeper cuts, a longitudinal groove 24 therein is provided. Extending through the groove 24, from one end to the other, is a rod 25 which is held in said. groove by the attachment of strip 21 to strip 20, the attachment of strip 21 entirely concealing rod 25.

The material of strip 21 is out about onehalf its width or otherwise formed to provide a groove 26 registering with the deeper portion of groove 23 in strip 20.

In each of the grooves 23 and 26 is a fingcr 27. Each of said fingers 27 is held therein against lateral displacement, and is apertured to allow the rod 25 to pass therethrough. Said rod is thus made to provide the ax s of movement or shaft upon which the fingers 27 move.

Finger 27 comprises a blank of material, generally sheet metal, one end 28 of which is turned up. An intermediate triangular portion of the material of the finger 27, designatcd-29, is bent downward at right angles to provide a reinforcement and to provide, additionally, a shoulder adapted to impinge the broaded'surface of strip 20 when the f nger 27 is outwardly extended its full length for the purpose of receiving a portion of the film.

A small portion of material is cut from the body of finger 27 and bent downwardly Hit) 7 after he pointed out.

position.

to form a stop 30. Stop impinges strip 21 adjacent its out edge when the finger 27 is in an inoperable position, the narrow edge of said stop member 30 being presented to the surface of said strip 21. When the finger 27 is in operable position, stop member 30 impinges the broad surface of member 21 adjacent the inner end of the track in which the finger 27 moves. At this time, however, the broad. surface of the stop member30 impinges the surface of strip 21.

Beyond the reinforcing strip 29, the material of 27 is obliquely formed to provide a V-portion. This V-portion of the finger 27 is designated 31 and is adjacent that portion thereof apertured to receive the rod 25. The inner surfaces of the V sectionof material are designated by the numbers 3-2 and 33, onereference character being applied to each of the sides. The surfaces 32 and 33 are camming surfaces {as will herein- 'When fingers 27 are in inoperable position, the reinforcing section 29 rest flush against the exposed front of strip 20 and the projection of fingers 27' outwardly. isno greater than. the thickness of the material of strips29 atany given point. At this time, the face 32 is perpendicular to the exposed broad faces of members 20 and 21 while the face 33 is parallel with the broad faces of said members.

When in extended position, a finger 27 is perpendicular to the broad surface of meinber 20 with the broaderend of reinforcing section 29 impinging the material of' said strip 20. At this time, the face 32 is parallel to the broad surfaces of members 20 and 21, and the face 33 is perpendicular to the broad portions of members 20 and 21.

A spring member 34 is supplied to engage the stop 30. Spring member 34 may COIDPTISG, as shown, a strip of spring steel having a plurality of cutout portions, the extensions of material between said cutout portions, designated 34, being adapted to engage the stop 30. The force of the springs 34 is suflicient to hold the fingers 27 either in extended position or in folded position, so much so, that a positive force is required to change the relative position of said fingers. A finger 27 is always folded or extended. There is no intermediate Each of the members 19 has a substantially equal number of fingers 27 disposed thereon, and these fingers are preferably arranged as is shown in Figure 2 to provide, when film is wrapped upon these fingers in extended position, a convolute strip of film. The fingers 27 are in staggered relation, and each succeeding finger upon adjacent spokes 19 is a predetermined distance nearer to or further from the axis of revolution of rack front thereof,

they would seriously interfere with the winding and unwinding operations incident to placing a film. on rack 16 and removing such film therefrom.

Means for extending and/or folding the 27 in a regular order are necessary,

and it is the part of the apparatus which has to do with this operation which will next be described.

Upon the standard ,11 and at each side thereof are two or more brackets 40. Brackets 40 provide a support for housing 41 which has a slot extending froiniieai' the top to approximately the bottom-in the In L the housing 41 is a threaded shaft .43. shaft 43 isa block or carriage 44. Carriage 44 is adapted to be moved longitudinally along said shaft 43 as an incident to the ro tation thereof, such movement, of course. being up or down the housing 41.

In the carriage 44 Which has cam faces 45 is a movable verticalblock 46 which actuated outwardly by spring 47. The faces 45 are vertical, converging and parallel. and

between them is a slot in which block 46' may slide inwardly and outwardly within certain limitations.

It is the block 46 and the sides 45 which engage the faces32'and; 33 of the finger 27 The slidable mounting for block46 is provided to allow block 46 to remain in the throat between faces 32 and 33, and where said faces join, as finger 27 turns on the piv ot, the member 25.

The housing 41, adjacent its top and its threadedportion of shaft 43, and member 49 is upon that portion of shaft 43 beyond the threads at the bottom thereof. The stop member 48 possessesan extension 50 which projects outwardlyat the back of housing 41 through a slot 51therein and stop menr her 49 1s a similar member having an'exten- Upon the threaded Alli) (All) v llt) sion 52 passing through a slot 53 at the back of housing 41.

In the extensions 50 and 52 are vertical aligned apertures through which .a rod 54 is assembled. Set screws may be employed, as shown for securing the rod 54 in adjust- 48 is a coil spring 55, the purpose ofwhich will later be explained. A similar coil spring 56 is'placed intermediate carriage 44 and'stop 49.

able but secure relation to members 50-and Intermediate the carriage 44 and the stop The rod 54-is connected at its upper end to an L-shaped yoke 57, which yoke 57 at its upper end comprises a pin 58 connected to a sliding member 59 adapted to reciprocate in a track provided therefor in a rec tangular frame member 60. Frame member 60 is slotted as indicated at 61 to provide a track for the pin 58 in the Lshaped member 57. Said pin 58 at its other end is attached to a movable member later to be described.

Depending from and secured to the member 60 at its lower end is a member, divided into three sections, the end sections being designated 62, which member provides a support for the housing il. lVithin the housing 4.1 at its top is the middle section-63 of said member and which provides a journal for the shaft 13. Shaft 43 at its top is provided with a gear 64:. Gear 64 includes a collar portion adapted to ride the section 63 to prevent longitudinal displacement of shaft 43.

Also within the housing ll and at its lower end is another block 65 having a cen trally cutout portion 66 in which the lower end of shaft 43 is seated. Block 65 can be secured to the housing -11 by a machine screw 67 or in any other suitable manner.

The sliding member 59 riding in the track in frame member 60 has a centrally cutout portion of somewhat irregular configuration, indicated 68. The purpose of such aperture is later to he made apparent.

The frame 60 is adapted to ride upon a collar 69 seated upon the shaft 12. In this manner the frame 60 is properly supported upon the standard. 11 and the rack 16 may be rotated freely, while said frame 60 and the apparatus described depending therefrom may be held against rotary displacement by brackets 40 projecting outwardly from said standard 11.

Usually the collar 69 is a part of and integral with a gear 70. Gear 70 meshes with the gear 64 upon shaft 413 to rotate said shaft.

As the rack 16 is rotated in either direction, the cam faces 32 or 33 of fingers 27 will come into contact with the cam 45 and block 16. The change in the position of fingers 27 from open to closed, or from closed to open, varies according to the direction of rotation of said rack 16. lVhen it is desired to place a film upon the rack 16 for drying, all of the fingers 27 should be in closed position. The end of the film, which film is designated 71, is placed through and about a post 72 upon the face 18 of rack 16. The film 71 is next twined about the roller bearing 73.

Rack 16 is now put into motion, and mechanical means for so doing are later to be described. As the rack 16 is rotated,

the innermost member 27 comes into impinging contact with one or the other of the cam faces 45 and block 416. The impinging contact between such face i5 and block 16, which are held against lateral displacement in the manner heretofore described, and the cam face 32 on the finger 27, which is moving as an incident to rotation of rack 16, causes the linger 27 to be extended as shown in the dotted lines in Figure 10.

In the change in position, the spring 3 1- ilexed, and then partially released, and is thus adapted to hold the finger 27 a ainst displacement.

As each succeeding spoke 15) passes the carriage ate, the innermost folded. linger 27 is moved from its folded position to an extended position. As each of the fingers 27 is extended, a portion of the film 71 may be disposed thereon, the body of the film being intermediate the end 28 of the finger 27 and the outer surface of the member 20.

In order that the fingers 27 on each spoke 19 may be moved out one at a time in regular order, said fingers 27 are arranged in a staggered manner to provide a convolutc rack for the film 71. The carriage i l will move from its innermost extremity toward the outermost extremity of the housing 11 if the rotation of rack 16 is continued. Gear 70 is caused to rotate with the rack 16 and conjointly to mesh with the gear 6 to cause carriage 4:4. to move outwardly or inwardly, as the case may be.

With the rotation of gear 64:, the shaft 413 rotates, and with the rotation of shaft 43, carriage i l must necessarily move, for carriage 4%: is provided with threads registering with the threads upon said shaft 43.

Means should be provided, of course, whereby the movement of the carriage 4L4, inwardly and /or outwardly, should be limited. The proper limits of such movement are engagement with the innermost and the outermost of fingers 27. That the delicate gearswhich are employed may not be readily damaged, and that the gears may be relatively light, means for rendering inactive the finger actuating mechanism when the proper limits are attained is provided. This of necessity means that there must be a loose coupling intermediate the gear 70 and the rack 16, and that there must be an automatic disconnection between the gear 70 and the rack 16 occurring when the uppermost and lowermost positions of the carriage e4 have been reached.

Upon the gear 70, at its face adjacent the rack 16-is an outwardly projecting body comprising a plurality of shoulders desig nated as a whole 75. About shoulders 75 is hub 17, and said hub has recesses correspondingto the shoulders 75. At one side of the hub 17 is a slot 76. The recessed portions of the hub 17 fit snugly upon the shoulder of gear 70, and the body of the hub 17 is cut away or formed to provide an enclosing housing: for a Ueshaped clutch 77 which hasa projecting finger 78 adapted to register .in the slot 7 Got gear 70.

The clutch 77 is provided with parallel slots 79 through which machine screws or other fastening members 80 pass to-hold the clutch slidably disposed upon the inner face of the body of the gear 7 0. Upon an anchoring screw 81 intermediate slots 79 is a double spring 82 adapted to gently urge the clutch 77 away from said spring.

Vith the urging force of the spring 82, the finger 78 willbe forced in to engage in the groove 76 unless an external force causes the clutch 77 to be moved away from such engagement. The disengagement of clutch 77 and rack 16 is timed to occur when the clutch 77 is in the position shown in Figure 7, and in a position diametrically opposed thereto.

A pin 83 extends inwardly from the clutch 77 as, shown inv Figures 3 and 7. It is through the agency of, this pin that the clutch77 is lifted out of engagement with the rack-l6. v

The pin 83 upon clutch 77' comprises a body generally-elliptical in cross section and having a reduced; end 84. The clutch. 77 when disposed upon the gear 70 is adapted to move up and down in the manner hereinbefore described toclutch and declutch the rack 16 through the hub 17. The pin 83 extends through an aperture in gear 70 and partly through the collar 69 thereof, the lat ter being slotted at 85 to receive said pinhead. 84. In said collar 69 the slot 85 registers with the aperture in gear 70 in which pin 83 rides. Such aperture is a longitudinal slot ordinarily.

With the declutching of the gear 7 0 from the rack 16 the pin 83 travels toward the axis of revolutionand in the aperture referred to above, and at declutching, does not project beyond the periphery of the collar 69. hen the ,clutch 77 is in a grip-- ping position, however, the constricted end 84 of the pin 88 projects beyond the margin of the collar 69. The positions of pin 83 are as shown in Figures 4 and 8. The full lines indicate pin 83 when the clutch 77 is gripping hub 17 and the dotted lines in said figures show the position of pin 83 when declutching has occurred.

As previously stated, the number 59 provided with an irregular aperture 68,

and it is within this irregular aperture that the projecting end 84 ofthe pin 83 is adapted to rotate.

The irregularity is accounted for because of the employment of two sections of the inner walls as cams, and. the necessity for allowing the quick release of clutch 77. I i

The pin end 84 will engage upon the inner wallsof. the slidable member 59 Only when said slidable member is moved into proper position by reciprocal movement o-f said men'iber 59 in frame 60., So long as the member 59 is in a normal position, there is no cannning action and the pin 83 does notengage the sliding. member. 59 and hence clutch 77 'is not forced out of engagementv with the rack 16 whereitji-s held byspring Upon the bottom or lower end of the mem ber 59 is a stem 86, and it is stem 86 which is connected to the rod 54 by the L-shaped. member 57 and the pin 58.

The movement of the rod 54 as an incident to the approach to carriage 4-4 to either of the stops 48 or 49 is thus imparted to the slid-able member 59, and the movement of member 59 causes the clutching and declutching of the rack 16 from the finger actuating mechanism.

Projectinginwardly from the back of said member 59 is another pin 87 which is adapt ed to be engaged by a cam the purpose of which will shortly be made apparent. declutching of gear 70 and hub .17 is accomplished against the influence of spring The pin' 87 just mentioned is adapted to be reciprocated within a slot 88 in the frame 60. Said slot, 88 is vertical and the pin 87 projects therethrough to a suflicient extent to be engagedbya control. member 89 which operates upon a hub orjboss 90 upon said frame 60: Said boss, 90 immediately surrounds the sleeve 69 of gear 70 and said gear hub 69 generally terminates flush with said boss-90. The control member 89 includes acircula-r portion 91 adapted to-surround the hub or boss90 and isgheld thereon by a guide screw 92 at the bottom and by a spring 93 upon the boss 90 and held by screw 94. j 1 The upper portion of the member 89 comprises a handle 95 and two. ball seats 96 and 97 either one of which-is adapted to be en gaged one at a time by the free end of spring93. Ifthe member 89 is moved by forcing handle 95 to the left, the spring 93 is seated in the right ball seat 97 while if the handle 95 is moved to the extreme right, the spring 93 is seated inthe left ball seat 96. V

At the lower. sectionof the member 89 is an extension portion 98 from which is a cut out portion 99, the cut out material being equivalent to what would be removed to provide two relatively short vertical slots. The material intermediate such slots is not cut in a straightline but a'dividing shoulderf100 isprovided at both-the bottom and the top offlthe out out portion 99.

When the handle 95 is ina left hand position (Figuref5) it determines the limit of The ber 59 is the cam in the first instance and the lower inner surface the cam in the second instance.

' Shifting from right to left of the handle 95. therefore, provides different limitations for the movement of the member 59 and different caunning surfaces for engagement with the pin 83. The camming surfaces in turn control the tie-clutching and clutching the clutch 77 with respect to the rack 16. The shoulders 100 provide dividers between the tracks of movement of pin 88.

Angularly disposed slots 101 and 102 are provided in the frame 60 adjacent its bottom to receive pins 103 and 104 extending therethrough, and upon said pins 103 and 10% and beneath the member 59 are two ratchets, 105 and 106. Ratchets 105 and 106 have cam faces adapted to engage upon rounded cams 107 and 108, so that when the handle 95 is in the position shown in Figure 8, ratchet 105 will engagethe teeth of gear and prevent counter clockwise movement thereof. Ratchet 106 will impinge cam 108 and be inoperative.

hen the handle is shifted to the position shown in Figure 1, the ratchets 105 and 106 are moved so that ratchet 105 impinges ram 107 and becomes inoperative and disengages gear 70 while ratchet 106 is freed from the cam 108 and engages gear 70 to prevent its movement in a clockwise direction. The gear 70 may however, be freely rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. An urging influence is required upon said ratchet 105 and 106 to secure positive action and this is supplied by a pair of springs 109 and 110 oppositely disposed upon the blocks 62.

It should be noted that springs 55 and 56 are only partly compressed when the de clutching operation is completed. The shift ing of the handle 95 is accomplished against the retarding influence of said springs and such shifting causes a further compression thereof which continues until the rotation of gear 70in the opposite direction is had, when the compression is released. Some resilient member must be disposed between the carriage 44 and stop members 48 and 49 to permit of instantaneous clutching following a change in the direction of the rotations of rack 16. In shifting handle 95, pin 87 rides shoulder ofmember 89, thus moving member 59 and freeing in 83 in clutch 77 and allowing projection 8 to seat in slot 76. The coincident linear movement of members 58, 57 and 5% brings about an added compression upon spring 55 or spring 56 as the case may be.

Reference should again be had to Figure 1. A plurality of stud bolts 120 extend from the hub 17 outwardly. Upon these bolts is disposed a fan 121 comprising a central body or hub portion 122, fan blades 123 preferably of metal secured to said central portion and twisted to provide an oblique.

air driving face, and a rim 1241. Fan 121 is thus made readily removable.

The fan 121 is best illustrated in Figure 13 which is a fragmentary view thereof which, when taken in conjunction with the disclosure in Figure 1, indicates the character of this part of the device. The fan blades 123 are for the purpose of driving air across the film suspended upon the fingers 27 upon the rack 16 as an incident to rotation of said rack.

By reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that at each end of the rack 16 is a table 130. There are two tables 130 because rack 16 is double. Upon such table 130 is a hand actuated control 131 upon a base 132 and having a. link 133 connecting it to the operating handle 95. Positioning control member 131 thusly permits of direction control at a distance from rack 16 and convenient to a film reel in a stand. A reel rack or stand upon said table 130 is designated 131 and a reel 135 for film 71 may be journalled therein as shown.

Beneath the table 130 is an electric motor 136 having one or two spaced driving pulleys 137 adapted to frictionally engage the band 22 upon rack 16. One pulley is used for winding and unwinding and the other when supplied, for fanning the film. In the dotted lines in Figure 12, it is indicated that the motor 136 may be swung upon a vertical axis to remove the pulleys 137 from proximity to said rim 22. Upon the stand- "ard 11 is guide pulley 138 also engaging the rim 22 at both sides and the periphery thereof, and assisting in keeping the rack 16 in vertical alignment. The table 130 may be disposed upon an extension of frame member 13, or it may be an independent structure, when so desired. In Figure 16, a guide pulley which may be disengaged from the rack is shown.

The operation of the rack is relatively simple. A film 71 may be brought into the room where the drying rack 16 is to be used, such film being disposed upon a reel 135 or other carrying device. The end of the film 71 is inserted through the film post 72 on rack 16. It is taken for granted that all of the fingers 27 are in folded position and that the carriage 414: is at its uppermost position.

The film 71 is threaded about the guide roller 73 and through the agency of the reached, or the last finger 27 upon the rack '16 is approached.

Coincidental with the approach of the last finger 27 upon the rack 16, the carriage 44 has moved downwardly upon the spiral shaft43 until the carriage 44 impinges the spring 56 resting upon the stop 49. During the process of partial compression of the sprin 56, a downward pressure is exerted upon the stop member 49. This downward pressure causes an equal downward movement ofthe rod 54. Said rod 54 is connected to the member 59' through the L-shaped member 57 and the pin 58.

The downward movement of the rod 54 thus causes an equal downward movement of the member 59. The upper surface of opening68 is moved toward the axis of rotation of rack 16. Vhen the gear 70 continues its rotation further, the pin 83 at its constricted end 84 is impinged by the upper inner surface of the member 59, and by this impingement, the pin 83 is moved downwardly moving member 77 until the lug 78 thereon leaves the seat 76 in the hub 17 of rack 16. This permits the rack 16 to continue rotating without concurrent movement of the gear 70. With the stopping of gear 70, shaft 43 ceases to rotate and carriage 44 discontinues its downward travel.

The remaining portion of the film 71 will be wound about the exterior convolution of the rack unless the operator discovers that the capacity of the rack 16 is exhausted and stops the motor 136. The excess of film 71 may be removed at the convenience of the operator and for hand movement of rack 16, motor 136 may be turned on its vertical axis. When the excess portion'of the film 71 is removed, the rack 16 may be used for the drying process, each layer of film being separated and well spaced. The rack 16 may be rotated to obtain circulation there across of air driven by the oblique blades of fan 121. In Figures 14 and 15, means are shown for longitudinal movement of the rack 16 upon its. axis of rotation to disengage the finger actuating mechanism while the film 71 is being dried.

When the film 71 on the rack 16 has become dry, and it is desired to unwind said film, the rack 16 is moved inwardly and the fan 121 which is detachable is removed. Before the operation of unwinding is started, however, the position of the handle should be reversed as is also the motor 136.

The reversing of said handle 95 iinmediately lifts the member59 and releases the pin 83 from engagement with the inner surface of said member,whereupon theclutch 77 assumes a position under the influence ofthe' spring 82, so that the lug 78- on clutch 77 willdrop into the packet 76011 hub 17 immediately the two register.

It will be well tonote at this point that the ratchets and 106 are for the purpose of preventing the gear 70 from turning in a direction contrary to the direction deter- I mined by'handle 95.

The ratchet, either 105 or 106, which rides upon gear 70, will act as an escape cam if rack 16 is rotated in the proper direction, but if rack 16 isrotated in. the wrong direction, one of said ratchets, 105 or 106, will mesh in gear 7 0-, and thus throw handle 95, attached to member 89 by pins 108 and 104, in' the same direction as improper rotation of rack 16, said ratchet, 105 or 106 moving with the rack 16 until it is cleared of the teeth of gear 70 by means'of impingement upon the rollers 107 or 108. This movement will instantly declutch gear 70 and rack 16. This occurs only when the cam 44 is at its topmost or lowermost extremity.

If rack 16 is rotated in a wrong direction whilecam 44 is away from either extremity of its movement, dogs 105 and106 will throw the handle 95 and change the direction of cam 44 but will not declutch gear 70 and rack 16 because cam 44 is travelling safely 190 between upper stop 48 and lower stop '49.

If the handle 95 is correctly set on starting the rack 16 in a proper direction then the gear 70 will run conjointly with the rack 16.

The automatic declutching heretofore de- 1 scribed prevents the teeth in gears 64 and 70 from becoming mangled and permits of the gears being made of very light material. Otherwise for safetys sake, the gears and other parts would necessarily be very heavy. 110

The removal of the film 71 from the fingers 27 permits of the fingers 27 being folded in a regular order", proceeding from the periphery of the'racli 16 until the innermost finger 27 is folded. occurs, one of the cam faces 45 and member 46 engage face 33 upon finger 27.

hen the innermost finger 27 is approached by carriage 44, the spring 55 is impinge-d by carriage 44 and spring 55 in turn presses I upon stop member 48. When the pressure upon said spring 55 reaches the proper tension, the stop member 48 is lifted 'an'din turn it lifts rod 54. Rod 54' is con- When the folding operation nected to the L shaped member 57 and the pin. to member 59 and said member is The member 89, ratchets 105 and 106, and the other parts associated with rack 16 and gear function in the same manner as has been described in the declutching and clutching operations set forth when member 14 is at its outermost extremity whereby to prevent damage from improper rotation of rack 16 when handle 95 is properly set, to release the rack 16 from the gear 70 when the limit of safe inward movement of carriage 4:4: is attained, and to instantly engage the finger actuating elements for actuation when handle 95 is properly positioned and rack 16 is concurrently correctly rotated.

In Figures 14 and 15, means are illustrated whereby the rack 16 may be disconnected from the gear 70. The object in moving the rack outwardly upon axle 12 is to disconnect from the rack 16 the mechanism which actuates the fingers 27 in order that the rack may be rotated freely when drying film, without disturbing the folded and unfolded fingers. When the drying operation is completed it is desired that the various coacting part-s between the rack and the finger actuating mechanism be in the same position which they occupied, relatively, when disconnected.

The figures referred to illustrate a simple means for accomplishing this result. The hub 17 is disposed loosely upon the axle 12, and said axle 12 has an extension portion, indicated in said Figures 14 and 15 and 12 terminating in a collar 12. Upon the periphery of the axle 12 are two parallel grooves 150 and 151, extending completely around said shaft. A connecting longitudinal slot 152' between said slots 150 and 151 is preferably disposed at the top of axle 12. Intermediate the front wall of the hub 17 and the collar 12 is a coil spring 15 1 which is intended to urge the rack 16 into engagement with the gear 70. When rack 16 is pulled out on axle 12, it declutches itself from gear 70.

A yoke 155 is arranged upon the front side of hub 17 and a cam 156 is pivoted therein. A proper handle is provided for the purpose of actuating said cam, which cam 156 is adapted to impinge the front wall of the collar portion 12. Upon the hub 17 is a stud 157 which may ride in the slot 150 or in the slot 151. When riding in the slot 150 the rack 16 and the gear 70 are rotating together, but when the cam 156 is in the position shown in Figure 15, the rack 16 and the gear 70 are disengaged, the rack 16 being free to move without affecting the finger actuating mechanism or being affected thereby.

The cam 156 therefore determines whether the rack 16 moves with the gear 70. In order, howeventhat the rack 16 will turn to the precise position it occupied with respect to the finger actuating mechanism before said rack and gear 70 were disconnected, the slot 152 is provided. The earn 156 may operate in either direction only when the stud 157 may be made to register in said slot 152. This is true whether the desired manipulation of the rack 16 is to connect or disconnect it from the gear 70. Hence, all disconnections and connections between the parts are made with the rack 16 and gear 70 occupying the same relative position.

The arrangement disclosed permits the rack 16 to separate from gear 70 by a mere turn of cam 156. The action is almost automatic.

In Figure 16, a foot release for the guide pulley 138 is provided. Upon the base 10 is mounted a bracket 160. ithin this bracket and adapted to reciprocate therein is an arm 161 upon which the guide pulley 138 is journalled. A pin 162 is secured in the arm 161, and this pin is adapted to move upwardly and downwardly in a slot 163 in one side of the support or bracket 160. A coil spring 164 about arm 161 is provided within the bracket 160 to urge the arm 161 upwardly and the pulley 138 into contact with the periphery 22 of the rack 16. A. foot release is thus provided. When it is desired to disconnect the rack 16 and gear 70, one hand may be used to manipulate the cam 156, while one foot is momentarily employed to disengage the guide pulley 138 and said rack 16.

It is quite apparent that a diiferent form of mounting could be employed for the guide pulley and a different type of release conceived for the rack and gear. It is not the specific structure of these parts that it is desired only to protect, but on the contrary, the protection sought is for the novelty of the combination of these parts with the drying device for strip material, and such drying device, which I have invented and which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinabove described.

I claim:

1. A film drying rack comprising a stand. a rotatable member upon said stand. a plurality of movable fingers upon said rotatable member, and means for moving said fingers into operable position as said member is rotated.

2. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member and actuated thereby, and a carriage upon said shaft having cam faces adapted to engage said fingers.

3. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member, a carriage upon said shaft and havall) ing cam faces adapted to engage said fingers as said member rotates, a clutch between said rotatable member and said carriage shaft, and declutching means adapted to be actuated as the innermost and outermost fingers impinge said carriage.

4-. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member and actuated thereby, a carriage upon said shaft and having cam faces adapted to engage said fingers, a clutch between said rotatable member and said shaft, said clutch comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member, means for urging said member normally into such engagement and stop members for said carriage, said stop members being adapted to disengage said clutch.

5. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plus rality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member and actuated thereby, a carriage having cam faces adapted to engage said fingers upon said shaft, a clutch be tween said rotatable member and said shaft, said clutch comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage sald rota-table member and means for urging said member normally into such engagement, stop members for said carriage, and springs intermediate said carriage said stop members being adapted to disengage sald clutch.

6. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member and actuated thereby, a car riage upon said shaft, and having cam faces adapted to engage said fingers, a clutch be tween said rotatable member and said shaft, said clutch comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member and means for urging said member normally into such engagement, stop members for said carriage, springs mtermediate said carriage and said stop members, connecting means intermediate said stop member, and a cam adjacent to said clutch and adapted to impinge said clutch to disengage said shaft androtatable member.

7. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a gear rotatable on said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to and actuated by said gear upon said stand, a carriage having cam adapted to engage said fingers and adapted to ride upon said shaft, a clutch between said gear and said rotatable member, said faces clutch comprising a movable member upon said gear and having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member, means for urging said gear and member normally into such engagement, stop members for said carriage, springs intermediate said carriage and said stop members, connecting means intermediate said stop members, and a cam adjacent said hub, said cam being adapted to impinge said clutch member to release said gear from said rotatable member.

8. A film drying rack as described in claim 7 having means for changing the operable position of said cam, and means for declutching said gear and said rotatable member as an incident to rotation ofthe rotatable member in a direction opposite to that for which the rack is positioned.

9, A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a detachable gear upon said member, a plurality of fingers upon said rotatable member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member, and actuated by said gear, a carriage having cam faces adapted to engage said finger and adapted to ride upon said shaft, a clutch between said rotatable memher and said gear, said clutch being disposed upon said gearand comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member, means for urging said member normally into such engagement, stop members for said carriage, springs intermediate said carriage and said stop members, connecting means intermediate said stop members, 'a cam for actuating said clutch, said cam being adapted to impinge said clutch member to release said gear and said rotatable member, means for changing the operable position of-said cam,

and means for declutching the gear and rotatable member as an incident to rotation of the rotatable member in a direction opposite to that for which adjustment is made.

10. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a detachable gear in association With said member, a plurality of. fingers upon said member, a shaft disposed radially to said rotatable member and actuated by said gear, a

carriage having'cam faces adapted to en gage said fingers and adapted to ride on said shaft, a clutch upon said gear and between said rotatable member and said gear, said clutch comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member and means for urging said member normally into such engagement, stop mem b-ers adapted to be impingedby said carriage, springs intermediate said carriage and said stop members,'connecting means intermediate said stop members, a cam adj a cent said geargsaid cam being adapted to actuate said clutch member to release said gear and rotatable member, means for changing the operable position of said cam for the purpose of declutching said gear and rotatable member, and means for declutching the gear and rotatable member as an incident to rotation of said rotatable member in a direction opposite to that for which said means are adjusted.

11. The film drying rack described in claim 10, and inwhich said springs intermediate said stop members and said carriage provide anactuating force for said clutch upon changing the operable position of said cam. l

12. A drying rack for film comprisinga stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said member, and in staggered relation thereon, and means for forcing said finger inwardly or outwardly in predetermined order as .an moi dent to the rotation of said member.

13. A drying rack for film comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers instaggered arrangement upon said member, and means for moving said fingers into and out of film receiv ing position as an incident to the rotation of said member, said fingers comprising a member having a V-end, opposite portions of which are adapted to impinge said moving means according to the direction of roiation of said member.

14:. A drying rack for film comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers upon said member and meansfor moving said fingers into and .out of film receiving position, each of said fingers comprising a V-section having cam faces substantiallyperpendicular to one another adapted to be impinged by said moving means.

15. A drying rack for film comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, film receiving fingers upon said member, means for actuating said fingers, a clutch between said rotatable member and said finger actuating means, said clutch comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member and means for urging said member intosuch engagement, resilient members intermediate said rotatable member and said finger actuating means, a cam adapted to impinge said clutch to release said finger actuating and said rotatable member. and means tor changing the operable position of said cam, said resilient members providing an actuating force for said clutch incident to a change in such operable position.

16. A drying rack for film comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a pluralityof fingersstaggeredly arranged upon said member, and means for urging saidfingers into film receiving position to provide a :convolute rack for film.

11A drying rack for film comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of movable fingers in convolute arrangement upon said member, a travelling cam geared to said rotatable member and adapted to actuate said fingers one at a time wardly to receive'film and toldable against said member when in inoperable position, aradially movable cam adapted to engage said fingers, connecting meansbetween said cam and said rotatable member, and means for disengaging said connecting means as an incident to said cam reaching the ends oi" the path of its movement.

20. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a plurality of fingers adapted to be extended outi wardly toreceive film and foldable upon said memberwhen not in use, a cam radially movable to said in'ember and adapted to engage said fingers, .a .clutch between said rotatable member and said cam, said clutch comprising a ,movable 'member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member, means for urging said. member into such engagement, and a pin member, stop members for said cam, and a cam actuated by said stop members and adapted to impinge said clutch pin to release said .t -er actuating cam from said rotatable member. v

21. A film drying rack comprising a stand, a rotatable member upon said stand, a pinrality of fingers foldable against said member when not in use, a cam for actuating said fingers, a clutch between said rotatable member and said cam and comprising a movable member having a portion adapted to engage said rotatable member and a transverse pin portion, stop members for said cam, a connecting member intermediate said stop members and engaging a second cam, said second cam being adapted to impinge said pin portion to release said finger actuating cam and rotatable member one from another.

CLARENCE lV. HUTTON.

Flt) 

